Mazda just announced some pretty exciting updates on the 2019 MX-5 coming—thanks to consumer demand. Here's what they had to say:

IRVINE, Calif. (June 20, 2018) – The Mazda MX-5 Miata has never been about power; it’s a car whose sole purpose is to help the driver and passenger fall in love with driving. But, a little extra power never hurts, which comes as one aspect of numerous updates for the 2019 model year.

Speaking of rev range, redline has increased from 6,800 rpm to 7,500 rpm. Engineers were able to increase performance through several means, including:

• Reducing internal mass and friction: Each piston has been reduced 27g in mass, thanks to a minimized skirt area. Connecting rods are 41g lighter than previous units.
• Reducing exhaust loss: The upgraded engine carries an increased valve opening angle and valve lift height. The inner diameter of the exhaust manifold has also been increased. The net results are a 30-percent reduction in pumping losses.
• Improved combustion: Reconfigured intake ports and new high-diffusion, higher-pressure fuel injectors improve the tumble and swirl of fuel in the cylinder and better-atomize fuel. The benefit is improved efficiency and torque at all rpm.
• Dual-mass flywheel: Replacing the single-mass flywheel with a low-inertia, dual-mass flywheel improves smoothness and responsiveness.
• A new exhaust system with richer sound quality.
• New final drive ratio: The transmission’s final drive ratio has been increased from 3.454 to 3.583 in order to improve linear response to match the driver’s intentions. Gear ratios are otherwise unchanged from previous models.

As a result of numerous changes, MX-5 is quicker, more responsive and aims to be more engaging to drive, adhering to Mazda’s unique Jinba Ittai—“horse and rider as one”—engineering philosophy.

On the safety front, the new MX-5 will be sold with a new, standard rearview camera and newly available features such as Traffic Sign Recognition and Smart City Brake Support in addition to other i-ACTIVSENSE safety technologies found throughout various trim levels. In the process of gaining many new features, the 2019 MX-5 gains just 7 lbs. from previous models, owing to a strict adherence to Mazda’s “Gram Strategy” and ingenious solutions like adopting an aluminum steering shaft in place of the previous steel unit.

When the fourth-generation MX-5 launched, its development team rallied around the idea of innovating in order to preserve. The latest round of innovations aim to continue that mission.

The 2019 Mazda MX-5 will be available in the U.S. this fall, with pricing, packaging and full specifications to be announced closer to on-sale timing. Details concerning the 2019-spec Global MX-5 Cup racecar will also be announced at a later date.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

I still can't find any pics of Eternal Blue that make it 'pop' with a brightness or boldness even half as much as Kieth's image in the 'other' thread about this did.. Most look closer to the decidedly 'ho-hum' silver-blue that you see on the Mazda configurator and on some other Mazda's in the wild. So I definitely wouldn't order that one sight unseen, expecting something interesting or exciting.

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That aside: Building an engine with more mpg, more rpm, more hp, and more torque everywhere is quite the accomplishment!

I could see that with BRG. But on my way home yesterday, I saw a Mazda2 in that ridiculous (ly awesome) bright green. I don't know why, but it made me want to see how an ND would look in that color. I also have a feeling that the ND would wear yellow and orange quite well.

And that cell phone pic is closer to the others I've found for that color. Sure it's 'nice', but it's still not what I would call visually stimulating either.

Plan on seeing failing DMF in the future! I know the cars that I have owned with them they dont seem to last long before making noise.

Just did the clutch in my 911 with 120k miles and reused the DMF. No noise. My previous 330i had 160k on the DMF. It did make a little noise if you lugged the engine, but still worked fine. 100k on a MINI with a DMF and it was fine too.

Plan on seeing failing DMF in the future! I know the cars that I have owned with them they dont seem to last long before making noise.

Just did the clutch in my 911 with 120k miles and reused the DMF. No noise. My previous 330i had 160k on the DMF. It did make a little noise if you lugged the engine, but still worked fine. 100k on a MINI with a DMF and it was fine too.

What are you driving that is failing early?

Yeah. Many different manufacturers have been using them on multiple lines for years.

Plan on seeing failing DMF in the future! I know the cars that I have owned with them they dont seem to last long before making noise.

Just did the clutch in my 911 with 120k miles and reused the DMF. No noise. My previous 330i had 160k on the DMF. It did make a little noise if you lugged the engine, but still worked fine. 100k on a MINI with a DMF and it was fine too.

What are you driving that is failing early?

The DMF on the MINI is actually a fairly known problem. My 2006 rattles. Most of my friends with MINI's have had similar issues. Eventually I'll replace it, although probably with another DMF since the aftermarket versions are generally worse. Just the nature of the beast. For now I just keep the clutch pedal in and ignore it.